Florida Department of CorrectionsJulie L. Jones, Secretary

Program Types

The Florida Department of Corrections has developed Correctional Substance Abuse Programs at Institutional and Community-Based sites throughout the state. These programs serve offenders with substance involvement, abuse, dependence, and other related problems, including employment issues. The substance abuse programs' principle objectives are to identify substance abusers, assess the severity of their drug problems, and provide the appropriate substance abuse program services. The Department of Children and Families in accordance with Chapter 397, Florida Statutes and Chapter 65D-30, Florida Administrative Code licenses all substance abuse programs.

Offenders screened as being in need of services are either referred to a program or placed on a waiting list pending availability of needed programming. The Bureau of Substance Abuse Program Services is responsible for the coordination and delivery of these services listed below for offenders under community supervision.

Nonsecure Substance Abuse Treatment Programs are six (6) month community-based substance abuse therapeutic communities with two components. The Intensive Treatment Component (ITC) lasts two (2) months. During the ITC the offender only participates in counseling and therapeutic and educational activities at the residential facility. The Employment/Re-Entry component (ERC) lasts four (4) months with a primary focus on successful re-entry into the community. During the ERC gaining and maintaining employment is incorporated into the offenders treatment plan. The offender resides in the treatment facility while maintaining gainful employment in the community. In this component the offender participates in a minimum of six hours of counseling per week. The residential program is staffed by paid awake staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Long-term Residential (Secure) Substance Abuse Treatment Programs are community-based, full service, long-term substance abuse therapeutic communities (secure indicates a long-term program, not a program in a locked facility) with two components. The Intensive Treatment Component ((ITC) lasts up to twelve (12) months. During the ITC the offender only participates in counseling and therapeutic and educational activities at the residential facility. The Employment/Re-Entry component (ERC) lasts six (6) months with a primary focus on successful re-entry into the community. During the ERC gaining and maintaining employment is incorporated into the offenders treatment plan. The offender resides in the treatment facility while maintaining gainful employment in the community. In this component the offender participates in a minimum of six hours of counseling per week. The residential program is staffed by paid awake staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Probation and Restitution Centers (PRCs) are medium intensity residential programs for selected offenders on probation or community control who require more supervision. The average program length is approximately five (5) months. The PRC offers the court an alternative sanction, providing a highly structured environment that stresses employment and restitution to the victim, community service work, GED and basic life skills, group and individual counseling, and other opportunities for self-improvement. All offenders in the PRC receive a substance abuse evaluation and, if treatment is needed, are treated at the PRC facility. The residential program is staffed by paid awake staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Outpatient Treatment Programs provide therapeutic activities and interventions for offenders to assist them in their recovery from substance abuse while they maintain residence and employment in the community. The focus of the programs is on treatment and the provision of ancillary services. Outpatient services are provided to offenders on a variety of intensity levels statewide (i.e., education classes, outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, and day or night treatment).